"For Kevin"
(Sen. William Cohen, R-ME, on his son)
...I watch you turn
in the membrane
of your sleep,
a flutter of infinity
roars in my ears
but makes no sound.
I wonder
does my father
stand mute
in his flour-filled days
that shrink to their
cosmic conclusion
and hear this drip
of the universe?
"The Man Who Loved The Senate"
(Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-UT, on the late Senator Jacob Javits)
...Born to poor
Jewish immigrants
On Manhattan's
Lower East Side,
He overcame poverty
To become,
As he was fond
Of saying,
"A Senate Man"...
The deliberative process,
The discussion,
"The finding a way,"
As he put it,
Intrigued him.
He knew well the rules
Of the Chamber,
Cherished its traditions,
Respected its moods,
He had all the qualities
Of a Senate Man...
"The Marigold"
(The late Sen. Everett Dirksen, D-IL)
...It marches through spring, summer,
And autumn until the frost of early winter
Takes its toll... robust, rugged, bright,
Stately, single-colored, and multi-colored,
Somehow able to resist the onslaughts of insects...
What a flower the marigold is.
"Hooray for the Whips"
(Rep. Major Owens, D-Brooklyn)
...Are we
PAC asses for the classes
Or strong mules for the masses
I got a whip
You got a whip
All of God's children
Got a whip
Whip for who
Whip for what
Do your duty
Please beat my butt
Whip hard
And make it pay
We need education oats
We need health care hay.
